SOD Cherry Speedway results 2003-07-26

Gregg Dalman took only his second career checkers in front
of a standing room only crowd Friday night at Cherry Speedway. His last win
came on August 12th, 2000 at Merritt Speedway. Dalman was declared the
winner after the apparent winner, Steve...

Gregg Dalman took only his second career checkers in front
of a standing room only crowd Friday night at Cherry Speedway. His last win
came on August 12th, 2000 at Merritt Speedway. Dalman was declared the
winner after the apparent winner, Steve Irwin, came up light at the scales
during post race inspections. "This is not the way we want to win races, but
everybody has to follow the same set of rules." Stated Dalman in a makeshift
victory lane in the pit area. "I thought I had something for him (Irwin),
but on the last restart, I went in to turn one, and I knew the right rear
tire was gone. I had to let Irwin go so we could hold on to second. Who
would have thought it was actually a move that won the race for us. I really
need to thank my girlfriend Mandy Parson. I also need to thank Herb Bishop,
and Rock Steady Racing for supplying me with tires. As well as my sponsors,
Law Office of Walter J. Downes, Pro-Mec Engineering, Ace Graphics, T&T
Hobbie Shop, Mad Dog Composites Inc, Marko's Marathon Stanton, Gary Dalman,
and Mutter Enterprises."

Irwin would start the 25-lap contest on the pole position alongside Canadian
Mike Galajda. Irwin would get the early jump into turn one, but Galajda
quickly came back on the low side of turn two as the duo raced side by side
down the back chute. Irwin once again grabbed the point coming through turn
four and would begin to slowly pull away from the field.

As Galajda settled into second, and battle raged for the third position
between Gregg Dalman, Dave Fox, Dustin Daggett and Dain Naida. With the
track taking rubber from top to bottom, passing was at a premium, but the
lap times were in the mid 11 second range. Lap 15, Dalman was finally able
to make a move past Galajda for the second position and set sail after the
race leader. As Irwin entered lapped traffic on lap 17, Dalman quickly
closed the gap on Irwin and made it a two-car race for the lead.

As the leaders were working lapped traffic on the 21st lap, the abrasive
surface began to take its toll on some of the right rear tires. Dustin
Daggett, while running fifth was the first victim with a flat right rear
tire, then Jerry Whitney would also have one go down while under caution.
Daggett would not get the tire changed before the race went back to green
flag conditions.

On the lap 21 restart, Dalman made a charge at Irwin going into turn one,
but slid up the racetrack as his right rear tire was also wore out. Dalman
would let Irwin go, which proved to be the decision that would win the race
as Irwin weighed light at the scales.

Galajda came home second in his best finish of the season. "This is the
first time all year we could actually see the front of the pack at the start
of the race." Said Galajda in front of a standing room only crowd. "This is
a great track, and we had a great time coming here. I hope we get a chance
to come back to Cherry Speedway again."

2002 SOD Champion Ronnie Beale grabbed third, with Kyle Poortenga, John
Gall, Bill Johnson, Davey Brown, Jon Nichoson, Joe Bares and Jerry Whitney
rounding out the top 10. Up next for the SOD sprinters is a 25-lap battle at
Merritt Speedway on Saturday, July 26th. For more information, be sure to
log on to the official SOD web site at http://www.sprintsondirt.com